Analysis

August 8, 2024

Dubai yacht trips, Didier Drogba and $200m that never arrived: the bizarre story of crypto startup 5ire

“Millions have been lost,” says a former 5ire advisor


Three years ago, two friends scribbled down an ambitious plan on a napkin in a tea shop: to make crypto environmentally friendly.  

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The three cofounders. Photo: 5ire.
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A photo shows the 5ire team smiling to the cameras, posing with a giant bank cheque alongside Sram & Mram chairman Sailesh Hiranandani.
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Gauri and Dwivedi with Drogba.
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Freya Pratty

Freya Pratty is a senior reporter and investigations lead at Sifted. Follow her on X , LinkedIn and Bluesky

Tom Matsuda

Tom Matsuda is a fintech reporter at Sifted and writes our weekly fintech newsletter. Find him on X and LinkedIn

Amy O'Brien

Amy O'Brien is a freelance reporter covering Italian tech. She was previously Sifted's fintech reporter

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